(CNN) - Barack Obama will take Sen. Ted Kennedy's place in delivering the commencement address at Wesleyan University this Sunday.

According to Kennedy's Senate Office, Obama offered to take the Massachusetts senator's place earlier this week after Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer.

"Senator Kennedy accepted knowing it would be an historic opportunity for the school and all those attending, including his daughter Caroline Raclin who is graduating and his son Ted Jr. who is attending his reunion," Kennedy's office said in a statement. "He's enormously grateful to Senator Obama and the support he's received from all of his colleagues this last week.”

soundoff(313 Responses)

This is so wonderful......You can tell that Sen. Kennedy deeply cares about Sen. Obama as Sen. Obama does for the elder statesman.....There is a lot of symbolism going on here

May 22, 2008 09:00 pm at 9:00 pm |

white,50,female Republican for Obama

Barack Obama is such an awesome man! That is why I am voting Democrate for the 1st time! Let's all unite behind this great man who will be our next President of the United States!!!!!

Obama '08

YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 22, 2008 09:01 pm at 9:01 pm |

Paul

All I can say is this is less than impressive – say what you want all of you but this is politics at its best.

May 22, 2008 09:10 pm at 9:10 pm |

Mimi De La Cruz for OBAMA

SEN.OBAMA WILL BE THE PRESIDENT OF ALL THE PEOPLE.

WE LOVE HIM.

May 22, 2008 09:10 pm at 9:10 pm |

Jack

There will be MAJOR PROTESTS against Obama on campus... I'm organizing it!

the campus does not want to see this naive, clueless rookie.... they'd rather see someone w/ a clue.... HILLARY '08!!

May 22, 2008 09:13 pm at 9:13 pm |

Ken

Barack be careful, don't let Teddy drive you to the college.

May 22, 2008 09:20 pm at 9:20 pm |

Terry in Fl

Kiss a little more butt Obama boy. It'll get you nowhere!

May 22, 2008 09:21 pm at 9:21 pm |

vw

Hw stuck to his previous mistake that will lead to fail in Nov.

May 22, 2008 09:23 pm at 9:23 pm |

Sweety Cakes

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So, what is the Democrats plan to lower gas prices? Tax the oil companies? Okay, how does that get us even one drop more of oil? Alternative fuels? Okay, what, when, and who does that, how much does it cost, and when will it be done?

The Democrats have done NOTHING to lower the price of fuel. More drilling? Nope. Build nukes? Not a chance. Lower taxes? Hey, that's our money! Democrats want the White House? Let 'em have it. After about 8 months when you realize your guy doesn't have a clue, you might realize what kind of morons you were to elect this phony.

May 22, 2008 09:23 pm at 9:23 pm |

OBAMA FAN

Go Obama, you are the man. What God has for you is for you! No one, man or woman can take it from you. WE are praying for you. There are plenty prayer warriors out there for you, where you are shielded and covered. All the raciest remarks, all the uglness will not harm or touch you.

WE HAVE YOUR BACK!!!

God bless you Sen. Kennedy, God speed, and thank you for your trust in the unknown, thanks for change, thanks for faith, thanks for not being prejudice, thanks for loving your country to allow a man of character to be known.

May 22, 2008 09:28 pm at 9:28 pm |

Bitter Tommy Hussein in St. Louis

Sure, Obama's stealing the nomination...if you define "stealing" as winning more votes than your opponent.

May 22, 2008 09:28 pm at 9:28 pm |

Bismarck From Alberta, Canada

A note to Obama,

I'm a well wisher for your campaign and I hope you will impugne any political statements from this address.

Let everyone see it for what it is, a friend helping a friend in need instead of a politician unscruplously using someones ill-luck to score political points.

I trust you will do the right thing

May 22, 2008 09:30 pm at 9:30 pm |

louis

As a foreigner, I'm just amazed by this contrast about America. In my almost 10 years in this country, I've met the two extremes in every aspect. I'm met the nicest people ever, and also the most hateful of all. I've the smartest and the dumbest ever. And this debate just shows it. this hatred is just mind buggling.
It reminds me of how mlk was persecuted in the south for his message of love and hope and equality. I bet those people who are probably dead now would have never imagined king being celebrated every year.
Can someone explain it to me? How can such a great country manage to be led by a guy like Bush. And now some people who are dying for change are willing to vote for Mccain if Hilary is not the nominee. I might be wrong on this but it looks like the ones who are willing to hurt the Dem party and vote republican (because of Hilary's misfortune) are the ones that need change the most. I know how hard it is for people in Oh losing all the manufacturing jobs. Let me stop here....